Humidifier



Feb. 3. 1925. l 1,524,777

W. G. R. BRAEMER AHUIVIIDIFIEH Filed Nov. ll, 1922 Patented IFeb. 3, 1925.. I

UNITED STATES WILLIAM R. BRAEMER, OF CRANSTON,

'PATE-NT OFFICE.`-l s RHODE ISIiAiND, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN MOISTENING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F MAINE.

HUMIDIFIER.

f `Application filed November 11,.;1922. Serial No. 600,236.

use more particularly in textile and other.

mills and places .where a. substantially constaiit liumidiiication of the air is desired, the same comprising an'in-dividual unit adapted yto be suppo-rted from a wall or post in the room and having an electrically driven disk structure of special construction 'for causing an outward flow of ,water and air at`1ts perimeter, combined with improved features y for sub-d'viding the said water into a mist by mechanicalV impact therewith and forsubjecting the mist to currents of air in such manner as to cause it to pass outward into the room, myimprovement residing more particularly in means for handling the water, dissipating it into a mist, and controlling the air currents for transferringthe mist Jfrom` themachine into -the surrounding atmosphere. A

With the above and other objects in view, the naturel of which willl be more fully understood from the description hereinafter, the invention consists in the novel construction ofliumidier, as hereinafter more fully described and defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawing: Fig. 1 is'a side elevation with portions -in section illust-rating the general nature and construction of my improved humidifier and its supporting means; Fig. 2 is a front View of the same; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the helically coiled metal ribbon constituting the dissipating means; Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modiication of the same; and

Fig. 5 .is a. transverse section .of a portion of Fig; 1, taken on line 5`5 thereon.

2 is an electric motor of any suitable construction -and, as shown, is supported upon a bracket 3 through a pedestal4, formed as an extension of the bracket and to the top of which the motor is bolted. The electric motor is provided with a. shaft k5 carrying at Yits forward end a revolving disk 6 .and at its other end a propeller or fan 7 for forcing currents of air about the motor and in a direction toward the disk 6. More parl ticularly, the Vdisk 6 comprises a circular 4 front plate 8 secured at its central .part to a hub 9 which is screwed upon the ends ot the motor shaft 5. and locked thereon by a lock nut f10,. and ,provided with a more or less conical sheet metal portion 11 secured to tliedisk and lto a-'lange ofthe hub 9 in such manner as to provide a orwardj and outwardly curved inner fwall extending to and blending into the plate''of the disk structure. An annular plate 12, having the l same external diameter as the plate 8, is ar` .tween them a narrow annular passage 14 Awhich is unobstructed in a vertical plane eztcepting for the presence of the rivets. The', inner end of the annular plate 12 is curvedfi rearward, as at 15, and providing an open-J ing rdirectedtoward the motor. adapted tof The two curved I. l portionsll and 15-of the disk structure piovide between them an annular air passage f receive airfrom' the fan.

16y whose forward curvature 'blends into the radial passage 14 between the plates 8 and 12, said.' air rpassage 16 gradually decreases in cross sectional area so'that' the air currents which enter the said passa' e will be,

'under the rapid rotationof the disk, caused to travel with increasing velocity radially ranged immediatelyl to its rear and the two'. p 4plates are spaced apart and riveted or nother- 1 wise secured together at 13, leaving bev.

outward through said passage and the annular passage 14, and in so doing assist in anl outward propulsiono'the water which 1s 'i oc nozzle 17 and'which under centrifugal action flows radially along the inner surface delivered to the curved'portion 11 by the of the plate 8and through the-passage 14. The water which-is delivered from the noz- Azle 17 to the revolving disk near its centerv l*may be supplied in any suitable manner from a pipe 18 under the control of a valve 19, the latter being either manually operated or automatically controlled hygrostativcally7 in any of the usual manners well l.known in the artof humidification. 20 is a disk secured 'to and revolving with the motor shaft 5 to prevent 4any possibility'of As is shown, the rear end or' the part 15 eX.- tends beyond the rear end of the hub portions 9 and 11 of the disk plate 8, so that in loo water 'entering the bea-ring of the motor."-

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and 15 and, by gravity, or centrifugal force, as the case may be, be delivered through the passage 14 of the disk structure.

Immediately -surrounding the revolving disk structure 6 is arranged a helical coil of met-al 21 in circular form, the inner -por-V tion thereof being slightlyseparated from the perimeter of the revolving disk strucf ture G. In the preferred construction, the helical coil of metal is preferably formed from a. sheet metal ribbon, as 22, coiled on edge (Fig. 3), so as to-present a series of parallel flattened surfaces arranged in a circle and with their inner edges toward the perimeter of the disk. This helical structure 21 is soldered or otherwise secured to the outer edge of a conical shell 23 extending rearwardly and inwardly like a truncated cone, the same being open at its rear end.

Secured to the outer wall of the shell 23 is an annular cone-shapedshell 24 whose perimeter 25 is curved and extends over the outer portion of the coil and is preferably secured thereto as a support for it, said coil being shielded between the perimeters of the shells 23 and 24 with the exception of approximately one-third of its circumference on that portion of it which is directed toward the revolving disk and to the forward part of the machine, as will be clearly k,understood by reference to Fig. 1. In this manner, the film of water extending out from the perimeter of the disk is rapidly brought into contact with the edges of the ribbon coil and caused to be broken up and dissipated into a. mist. The air currents from the propeller or fan in their forward passage are partly guided into the annular space 26 between the cone shaped shell 23 and the plate 15 of the disk and said currents are directed across the space between the helical .structure 21 and the perimeter of the revolving` disk, so as to force the vapor formed by the co-action of these parts outwardly into thev room. Furthermore, the

air which flows through the annular passage 26 and throughthe annular passage 17 in the disk conjointly cause the air to flow between the helical plates of thevstructure' 21 as well as in a horizontal direction be' low the same, thereby' tending to keep the said helical portions Iof the structure k21 (which directly cooperate with the vrevolving-disk) clear of water. Any water-which is not dissipated is'permitted to `find egress from the coil 21 backward into the space 27 formed between theparts 23 and 2,4 and thence, by gravity, passtofthe bot-tom and into the trough 28 from which it mayescape by drain pipe 2,9;

Arranged about the shells 23 and 24 and their associated part-s is an outer shell or casing 30 which is also of'general yconical shape, but having its largest diameter curved, as at 31, to provide a grooved channel in a vertical plane as at 32 leading down each side to the bottom trough shaped portion 28 from which. the drain 29 extends, so that any surplus water which may be projected radially from the disk may find its way beyond the helical structure and be collected by the grooved construction of the casing and delivered to the drain. The shell 30 provides between itself and the shell portions 23 and 24 an annular passage '33 through which air from the `propeller or fan passes and which is directed forward and slightly inward at the front portion of the machine, so that it assists in propelling the vapor into the room and at the saine time thoroughly comingling with said vapor to lower its relative humidity to approximately thatwhich would be required with a given supply of water. 34 is a cas ing arranged about the motor and the propeller or fan and is open at the rear for receiving the air and is connected at its forward end into the rear or smaller end of the casing shell 30, said casing 34 insuring that all of the `air put in motion by the propeller or fan shall reach the passages 33, 26 and 16, to the fullest extent. For stability, the pedestal 4 which supports the motor is provided with a forward armv or bracket 35 to which the casing shell 30 isk bolted; and it also supports the inner shells e 23 and 23 inasmuch as they arev themselves support-ed by the casing shell 30 by meansv of the spacing rivets 36.v

`While I prefer that the helical metal structure shall be made ofa flat metallic ribbon coiled onl its edge, as shown in Fig.

3, I do not confine `myself to that exactcross section of the metal.

In Fig. 4, I have shown the coil as formed ofwire of square cross-section and it will be understood that 'it might be of any other shape, so long as it provides the plurality .air currents passing through the passage 16 of the disk assist, through their own force and lthe centrifugal action given to tliem by the d1sk,-to produce an increased velocity -to the watervvfilm and also tending to make theihngmore `readily converted into mist when itimp'inges upon the helical structure 21. .,The'alr currents` passing through the annular passage' 26 converge in a concentrated action between the perimeter of the diskand the inner edges of the helical structure and inra transverse direction to the currents from the passage 16 to blow or l in .various carry the aqueous mist outward intOl-,theroom and away from the helical structure.v the air currents passing through the annu-j' lar passage 33 assist further in forcing the, Vaqueous vapor out into the room andsup plying an additional atmosphere @flair to reduce the relative humidity.v It Willijalsd be observed that the helical*coiledv-struc-f i -wherein-furtherthe annular row of obture yis shielded upon its *outer f, portion against the action of the air passing through the annular passage 33 so thatno .spray particles of water will bel driven outwardly into the atmosphere by said air currents'. It

will also be seen that the shell 23 soconnects A y with the bottom of the fhelicalcoilil that the air currents passing'through the. passage' 2GV are directed only towardfthe .operative portion of the coil and henceupon Vthat por-A f tion of the mist which is brought tothe nest sub-division, It will,4 also be seen that neither the currents 'of air in the passages 26 or 33 Vin any'manneractlgupon those por-` tions of the helical coil 21 .wherein the water in dense or spray condition` mightwiind "its way and consequently ysaid non-.vaporized' portions of the v airfarezvre'e v to .escape through the shielded?` ohannelf27ffor' being conveyed out ofthefairffeurrents..." 'Ihe'resu'lt of this is that the ghuniidiied airvvvvhich"passes into the room' isdevoid 'of objectionable spray and approximates the humidiied condition which is produced in"l they more elaborate` humidiiers in fwhich aqueous "vapors under l -fan and the annular row ofV obstructions for temperature conditionsA are employed .ininsuring the proper'humidiication.'4

It will now be appare t that.; Il have-de-v vised a novel andfuseful construction which embodies the' features :of-advantagefenumf Y'. y'erate'd as desirable,and'while Ihave inthe "present instancefisshown v and described fthe preferred embodimentthereof which has 'been found in practiceIto' `give satisfactory and reliable results', it 'is to be understood that I do not restrict' mys'elfto the details,

as the same are susceptibleofmodification articulars -without departing from the splrit or scope of the invention.

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Having now described my invention, whatl I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A humidifier, comprising a revolving disk having a shallow radial passage pro. viding a peripheral opening and also hav'- ing an opening to the rear of the disk about its axis, a motor for revolving the disk, an annular row of obstructions arranged about the disk and at a slight distance from its means for delivering water to the disk whereby it may flow through the radial passage, a fan to .deliver a current of air into the radial passage of the disk whereby it isdirected as a circular film of small thickness toward its periphery andthe row of obstructions for increasing the flow of the water, and a stationary shell between thetan and the annularrowiof obstrllctions `fon-directing ya separate portion of the air currents entirely. separate .from the Vwater fthrOu'gIi" the j'shell. and `-transversely across vthe?.annularl-space?between the. periphery ot' .he disk andfthe;*annularrow of obstruc- `1ons.""

2..'.The1invention according to. claim l,

shield the' rear of the annular row of obstructions and' extending circuinferentially over the same, wherebythey 'are 'exposed y vronly/at their `router fportions.l

'4. A humidifier,comprising a revolving `disk having a shallow radial passage providing a peripl'ieral opening and also hav- 'ing an vopening to the rear of the disk -about its' axis, anrotor for revolving the disk, an

annular :row of obstructions arranged about the disk at a slight distance from its periphery and; formed of ah'e'lical coil of sheet metal, ymeans for delivering water' to the disk-whereby it may flow through the radial-passage, a fan to deliver a current of lair into the radial'Y passage ofthe disk vand toward its periphery and the row-fof obstructions, a stationary annular shell between the directingy a separate portion of the air currents through the -shell and transversely .across theannular space between the periphery ofthe diskA and lannular row of ob* 'structionsysaid' shell extended as a shield at the rear of the annular row of' obstructions and circumferentially over Vvthe same lor?,

structions `for permitting escape of the water ,which may pass to the rearof ksaid obstructions and delivering it aswaste unaffected by the air currents.` j

5.' A humidifier, .comprising a revolving diskrhaving a shallow radialv passage providing aperipheral opening and also having an opening to the rear of the disk about its axis, a motor for revolving the disk, an annular row of obstructions arranged about the disk at a. slight distance from its periphery, means for delivering water to the disk whereby it may flow throughthe radial passage, a lfan to deliver a current of air into the radial passage of the disk and toward its periphery and the row of obstructions, a stationary annular shell between the fan and the annular row of obstructions for directing a separate portion-'ofthe air currents through the shell and transversely across the annular space between the periphery of the disk and annular row of obstructions, said shell extended as a shield at the rear of the annular row of obstructions and` cilcuinferentially over thc saine whereby they are exposed only at their outer portions, -V

wherein the outer casing at its lforwardpart.

provides an annular' trough-like perimeter in the plane 0f the disk and having a drain pipe in communication with its lower portion for carrying away collected water.

7 The invention according to claim l, wherein the disk structure has its hub por' tion made with a curved outer surface blending into therear wall of the front plate of the disk and in whichl the rear plate of the disk is curved backwardly'to provide between it and the hub an annularv air passagr.:

leading into the peripheral passage of the disk and in which furtherl the pipe for leading the water to the disk opens into this Y passage.

8. A humidifier, comprisinga revolving disk having a shallow radial passage providing a peripheral opening and also having an openingatthe rear of the disk about its axis and enclosing aY hub portion made with a curved outer surface blending into the rear wall of the front plate et'. the disk the rear plate of the disk being curved backward toprovide between it and the hub an annular air p-assage leading into the peripheral passage of the disk, an annular row of obstructions arranged about the disk and at a slight distance from, its periphery, a pipe for delivering water into the annular air passage between the hub and the backwardly curved rear disk plate whereby it maylow by centrifugal action into the radial passage,` a fan to deliver a current of air into the annular air passage and thence into the radial passage o the disk, `and toward its periphery and the row of obstructions, and a stationary shell between the fan and the annular row of obstructions for directing a separate portion ofthe air currents through the shell and transversely across the annular space between the periphery of the disk and the annular row of obstructions, said stationary shell being inade conical like a frustruin of a cone and forming between it and the rearwardly curved plate of the disk an annular air passage tapering in area from the. rear to the annular' row of obstructions whereby the -air current is increased in passing to andV transversely between the perimeterV of the disk and lthe annular row or' obstructions.l

`9. They invention according to claim 8, wherein further there is provided an outer enclosing casing extendingabout the annular row of obstructions to provide a passage for air outside ofthe stationary shell and annular row of obstructions and for directing air forwardly, said casing also providing a trough-like structure forcollecting unvaporifzed water, and a drain pipe leading there rom.

10. In a humidilier, any annular row of obstructions arranged in a vertical plane, coniblned wlth a disk revolvlng in a vertical plane wlthinv the annular row of obstructions and consisting of a circular'solid plate,

an annular plate at its rear and secured thereto in close spaced relation to provide a shallow radial. passage between them, said annular plate having its central portion extending rearwardly and providing a large opening, the center portion of the front plate having a hub formed with an outer curved surface blending into the rear wall1 of the plate, a pipe extending intel the space between the hub portion and outer curved portion for deliverlng water currents to the :disk between the hub 'port-ion and rearwardly extending annular disk port-ion, and a'fan for delivering a blast of air also into the space between the hub portion and rearwardly extending annular disk portion.

In testimony of which invention,v I hereunto set my hand.

' WILLIAM G. R. BRAEMER. 

